Philip Cunningham’s Shopfronts
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It is my pleasure to publish these pictures from Photographer Philip Cunningham‘s astonishing archive of images from the seventies and eighties
Shop in Bow, c.1972
“In 1970 my partner, Sally, was a student on the Foundation Course at Hornsey College of Art. They taught her how to use a camera and process film and, in turn, she taught me. When we moved to the East East in 1971, the Council and GLC were still emptying and demolishing streets. People were being moved into tower blocks, which mostly had poor insulation and were physically alienating. By this time, the mythology of ‘streets in the sky’ was already discredited yet they continued anyway. There was still a lot of bomb damage but the remnants of previous communities could be seen, and I was determined to try and document what was left. I was also interested in the buildings themselves which had their own character. Taking at least a film a month, I built up a large archive. We were customers of some of these shops but others were already derelict. They represented a different life.” – Philip Cunningham
c.1972
Roman Rd, c.1976
Mile End Rd
Mile End Rd, c.1979
Mile End Rd, c.1979
Mile End Rd, c.1979
Mile End Rd, c.1979
Mile End Rd, c.1979
Mile End Rd, c.1978
Mile End Rd
Mile End Rd, c.1981
Mile End Rd, c.1985
Mile End Rd, c.1985
Malplaquet House, Mile End Rd, c.1976
Mile End Rd, c.1976
Mile End Rd, c.1979
Mile End Rd, c.1982
White Horse Lane, c.1979
East End India Dock Rd, c.1978
Roman Rd, c.1977
Stepney Way, c.1971
Antil Rd, c.1980
Hay Currie St, c.1978
Upper Clapton Rd, c.1983
Globe Rd, c.1976
Unknown location, c.1976
Brushfield St
Off Brick Lane, c.1976
Off Brick Lane, c.1976
Quaker St, c.1976
Off Cheshire St, c.1976
Cheshire St, c.1976
Photographs copyright © Philip Cunningham
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Great photographs, nice and sharp.
I just checked some of the road numbers on the current street view and many of the old properties are still there and looking somewhat better than they did then – good to see the old terraces have survived!
I am captivated by the Shoe Repair shop (“Globe Road 1976”) for several reasons. Every aspect is mis-matched, a feature that demands notice and investigation. (When windows are uniform, there does not seem to be the need to stop and examine.) The light-colored crenellated panels at the roof life DEMAND further inspection, everything looking like it was slapped together with thumb tacks. One strong breeze……….
This modest little shop holds a thousand tales and speculations. The signage is minimal, almost like the shop keeper does not WANT to draw attention to the venture. “No, I’m fine. Please
leave me alone with my newspaper. ”
When I first studied the top edge of the brick building, it looked like a sad, damaged fragment — but now the edging and chimneys look like some ancient watch tower; dignified and storied.
Wonderful photos!
Good to see a shot of the famous Spiegelhalters in this collection!
https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/04/29/spiegelhalters-is-saved/
Breaks my heart to read of so many communities split up and having to move into hi-rise blocks, or out to Dagenham or similar as one of our neighbours did. I still loathe hi-rise blocks, and just grateful I have never needed to live in one.
We used to go to Sima Tandoori every now and then when I was at Queen Mary College studying for my degree, I vividly remember the statues outside.
Sadly the once bustling High Street in my home time looks like these derelict shops now. I return 4 times a year and each time it’s worse. It used to be the premier town in the county for shopping as we had everything.